China’s Lifan 320: More Mini Than Mini
China’s Lifan will debut its new 320 minicar tomorrow at the Beijing Auto Show. As the first minicar the company produced, we can see from the pictures that the Chongqing-based carmaker went a bit overboard with the “Mini
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Russ Bellinis
Are the Chinese free to copy any body's design as long as they don't export? I would think if they attempted to export this car, BMW would have a case to sue for copyright infringement.
VMMVMMM
The lack of enforcement of intellectual rights laws in China just makes them all look like idiots over there. The "all" being the manufacturers, not the people.
Mike
Look guys. A Scion XD and a Mini Cooper combined!
chartguy
The "intellectual property" laws are wrong. No one who would buy a real Mini would consider this. Sure, it may look similar, but that's it. It's the execution of the design that matters. BMW/Mini Cooper has that figured out, and will remain well ahead of so-called competition like this Lifan.
Patents, copyrights, etc. tend to stifle competition. If you have the patent, you have a 17-year window in which you do not have to improve your product. Government has given you a big stick to beat off competitors, as well.
CARSON44
I think they're in the same state the Japenese were in 40 years ago. The infant industry has no style of its own. So they must copy what they see in the outside world. Imitation being what it is, I agree that there must be more there than looks. However these are some very smart people and they will soon catch on and up. At the 10 year mark in the USA they will be a powerhouse.
Redshark
looks stupid! it's amazing how right the real mini looks and how gawky and geeky this bastard version looks! there has been a couple of good looking cars coming out of China, but this isn't one of them.
Mark in Maine
Geez, more third-world tuna cans . . . I agree with carson, it will be interesting to see what hits the beach here in future, once the Chinese manufacturers begin to develop design languages all their own, and start marketing vehicles here.
mo
a piece of art. how did they get inspired to design such a thing..... nuh.
Jonathan Fung
Chartguy always knows his economics. :)
But seriously...would you be fooled into accidentally buying one of these LiFans at the MINI dealership when you really want a Cooper? And will you really fool the neighbors? The Pontiac Fiaro- Ferrari conversions may work...but a fool would be able to tell that this Lifan is not the real thing.
bepsf
Dis rittre cah is rame...
chaiyo
You know what I think?. I think they are really lucky to having the privilege of enjoying the fun copying and modifying what they want with other peoples design. I have seen quite a number of other brands as well been copied and giving it other names. That really give them a good start. But I will wait till they reach the real standard before buying one.
Scott
Anybody who has driven both old and new minis would know that the old one is better in almost every way; more space, better mileage, better looks, better sound better handling,etc I have driven new and old minis and I love the old one, the new one is just a hatchback in drag, I also own the old mini's younger brother, an Austin 1300GT
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